The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-08-03
hoped the menswould change their minds,
but We are In for II and l see nothing but
to shut down and wait. y 3 65+si55
rIIEt"uoLY. foUI,J,,


a+- HtShEl3-7 flnlnly Crnty. Yltfl|Ntitf5| 9-Al
Monday evening Marshal STUFF, Of
Bridgeport, arrested four men whose Dc.
culiar conduct indicates that they are
insane on tho subject Of religion. Their
names are George Cook, James Morris,
Thomas Wales and Abraham Williams,
and Z they call themselves "The Holy
Four" They were brought before Squire
Robinnon charged with disturbing 70.
ligious worahip at the West End church
Sunday evening. 5ijSs3
The arrest was made on compliant OF
Burgett McConnaughey, and evidence was
given against tho prisoners by ak OF the
mcmbera Of the church. When the Mar.
shal went after Cook that individual tried
to elude him and came up Bank street on
a gallop, jumping and screaming "Halle.
!njah!" "Glory to Godp I'm going TO
be arrested" slll9l.;'ST'
People naturally supposed tho man
was a lunatic, and when Morris came
along alter fndulging In the came peculiar
behavior, the belief was confirmed. l
These four mon have for some time
past made themselves obnoxious to the
community Of the West Ead by their de-.
moniac and idio!ic conduct in the chuycb,
and not long since they were notified to
discontinue their attendance. They at.
tribute their actions to the moving OF the
Holy Spirit within them. Last Sunday
they repaired III q body to tho church and
when neen by some members already
present, doorkeeper was stationed who
refused to let the men In, whereupon they
set up series OF wild Comanche shouts
and yells, drowning the noise OF worship
inside the church. ii,5 g.
They seated themselves atsrward on
the portico Of the church and had their
own worship, despite tho efforts OF those
inaide to stop them. They declared their
right to serve God in any way, at any
time and place. q T., Al c-til'
In the court room while tho hearing
was in progress, Williams cried out, }"Oh,
my Jesus!" whersupon he was promised
q fine OF So and costs for each similar
odense, US 1t was regarded by the court ss
the lowest profanity. Williams quietad q
while, but again broke ont, "Hallelujah!
John was In prison. 95sa
When threatened with $40 and costs
WiIiiams subsidized. His brethren wore
not slow to take his place. Jim Morris
asked tho court, didn't st. Paul say that
If theao should hold their peace the stones
would cry out?" ~
."Ain's We martyrs like our brethren OF
old" 81 a
Didn't we take up our cross and follow
Jesus, casting aside the wicked that reveI-
9th in the West End church ?"
Wales spoke up and said, "Those peo-
pie are corrupt servants oflthe devil, and
We as saints and messengers from the
Lord are moved BY the Spirit to correct
them in their worldly career. They have
deprived US of our place Of worship, they
have persecuted us, caat US into priBon for
serving the lord; the Lord will lead US
ont Of darkness and deliver us from prison.
Our father will care for his children"
This and similar rcmarks he would put
In at every opportunity, but he was re.
peatedly repfimanded and threatened
with heavy fine if he still persisted in
such conduct. ~, u
When the court had heard tho tsstimo-
ny Of the Witnesses, the Justice said to
the prisoners, II think that $40 and costs
apiece would DO fair payment for your
conduct" They recoiled in gstoniehment,
and said they would 20 to st. Cairsvillo
and have trial, and the Lord would go
along. They were urged by the court and
their friends to pay the fine, but they
would listen to nothing, and when the
| fine was set at $40 and costs, they still
objected and avowed their intention to 20
to the county seat, where they could ''get
Justice" They were taken back to the
dingy lookup, all the way singing Praise
to God" and making remarks rejecting
on the brethren Of thu church ior allowing
them to be used 60. a y VA ,5j. =, &
At the Jail occasional crowds would
gather to hear thsip mournful criee, their
singing, praying, etc, which they kept ~
continually, until they were removed yes.
terday by the Marshal and taken to st.
Clairsville, where they will probably be
given hearing in the Probate Court on
Monday next. These four men are resi-.
dents Of the best localities of Bridgeport,
and though in moderate circumataaces,
have always been respected as good peace
able citizens until OF late, when they
banded together and tried to introduce Ii,
thecity new style OF religion. They were
at once given notice to leave the church,
which was the beginning Of their strange
career. They are all Of good family con.
nections and their case is an uniqus one
in the courts oil this vicinity. d. ] q.
| T. - ~ = . Il